Slider for integral fastener



Aug. 26, 1969 s. QUISLING 3,462,806

SLIDER FOR INTEGRAL FASTENER Filed Oct. 1'7, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 26, 1969 s. QUISLING 3,462,806

SIJIDHR FOR lNTEGRAL FASTENER Filed Oct. 17. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet z United States Patent 3,462,806 SLIDER FOR INTEGRAL FASTENER Sverre Quisling, 1240 Sherman Ave., Madison, Wis. 53703 Filed Oct. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 587,225 Int. Cl. A44b 19/00 US. Cl. 24-20512 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A slider for engaging and disengaging the tabs of a pair of flat sheet-like members. The slider has a pair of grooves passing into opposite sides of the housing and extending the length of the housing for receiving the edges of the flat members in spaced overlapping relation. Raised ridges are provided in each of the grooves at the forward end of the housing for flexing the flat members to extend the tabs for pickup in a pair of channels communicating with each of the grooves. Cam surfaces are provided in the channels for flexing the tabs into a perdendicular relation with the flat members while the flat members are brought closer together in the rearward portion of the housing by the grooves whereby the tabs of each flat other flat member to form an interlocking fit.

This invention relates to improvements in a fastener means for an integral fastener and more particularly to a slider for securing together opposing members in an interlocking relationship.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide an improved fastener means which continues to secure together a series of interlocking members or tabs when one of the interlocking members malfunctions.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a slider which may be removed from the interlocked sheets after they are secured together and then used to secure together other like sheets.

It is another object of my invention to provide a slider which may be used to join together a variety of interlocking members such as clothing or fabric material, building material, roofing, siding or the like.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved slider which is not restricted to use with one pair of sheetlike members having one size of interlocking tabs.

It is another object of my invention to provide an automatic device which reduces noise while readily interlocking opposing members in a fast and simple manner.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my fastener means in operation;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing a housing section.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of my invention;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the operation of my slider;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of my invention taken along line 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing a section of another form of the housing for my invention;

3,462,806 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 FIGURE 10 is a front view of this form of my invention.

FIGURE 11 is a forward sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a middle sectional view of this form of my invention;

FIGURE 13 is a rearward sectional view of this form of my invention;

FIGURE 14 is an end view of an integral fastener atfer it has been secured together by the embodiment shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 15 is similar to FIGURE 14 differing only in that each sheetlike member is attached to another member forming an edge or rim with a gap instead of having a flange.

My fastener means or slider 10 is basically adapted to interlock or secure together a pair of sheetlike members 50 and 52 each having a row of tabs 54 as described in my copending application for an integral fastener. Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts it will be seen that my fastener means or slider 10 basically consists of a housing 12 containing a pair of grooves 14 and 16 and a pair of channels 18 and 20. Each groove 14 and 16 is adapted to receive a sheetlike member and each channel 18 and 20 is integral which its respective groove and is adapted to bend or extend outward a row of tabs 54 on each sheetlike member. As the tabs 54 are bent outward they form resulting openings 56 and the grooves 14 and 16 and channels 18 and 20 of my invention interact to insert each tab through the opposed openings on the other sheetlike member thereby interlocking the sheetlike members 50 and 52.

The housing 12 is shown in FIGURE 1 but is perhaps best understood through FIGURES 3 and 9 where it is shown as a section as it would appear when disassembled. In these two figures the housing 12 is shown as made from two major sections which assemble to form the grooves 14 and 16 with their respective channels 18 and 20. The two major sections may be held together by screw means 22, as shown in FIGURE 1, or by any other suitable means such as riveting, welding or gluing.

Both major sections are identical in shape, with the exception of a handle 24 which may be mounted on the exterior of one section. It is important to note that the housing 12 for my invention may be made as one solid member or may be made from any number of members. It is shown as made from two major sections because this is preferable when machining or casting as the two sections are identical in shape.

As shown in the figures the housing 12 has a forward portion 26 and rearward portion 28 and contains both grooves 14 and 16 and their respective channels 18 and 20. In addition the housing 12 is shown as substantially rectangular in shape but may be any desirable shape such as cylindrical, pyramidal or prismatic. Further, it is important to note that the housing 12 may be made from any substantially rigid material such as metal, metal alloys, plastic or rubber.

The grooves 14 and 16 contained Within the housing 12 are shown in all the figures except FIGURES 2, l4, and 15, but are perhaps best understood in FIGURE 5. Each groove 14 and 16 extends from the forward portion 26 through the rearward portion 28 of the housing 12 and is adapted to receive a sheetlike member in spaced relation. Each groove 14 and 16 is of constant depth and passes into the housing 12 from opposite sides. By passing the grooves 14 and 16 into the housing 12 from opposite sides the two sheetlike members 50 and 52 are held in overlapping relationship as they pass through the housing. In addition the constant depth of the grooves 14 and 16 keeps the tabs 54 on each sheetlike member aligned laterally as they pass through my invention.

The two grooves 14 and 16 extend toward each other within the housing 12 and come together in an overlapping relationship in the rearward portion 28 of the housing, as shown in FIGURE 5. The overlapping of the grooves 14 and 16 in the rearward portion 28 along with the action of the channels 18 and 20 allows the two sheetlike members 50 and 52 to leave the housing 12 in an interlocked relationship.

The channels 18 and 20 are also shown in all the figures except FIGURES 2, 14 and 15. Each channel 18 and 20 is integral with a respective groove and is adapted to bend the tabs 54 of each sheetlike member outward and extend each tab through the resulting openings 56 made by the outward extending tabs thereby interlocking the sheetlike members 50 and 52.

Each channel 18 and 20 is wider in cross-section at the forward end preferably narrowing until substantially perpendicular with its respective groove in the middle portion of the housing 12. As each channel 18 and 20 narrows it will force the tabs 54 on each sheetlike member outward until substantially perpendicular with its respective member. Each substantially perpendicular tab 54 will leave a resulting opening 56 through which the opposing tab on the other member will fit. This is accomplished by extending the two grooves 14 and 16 toward each other and having each channel 18 and 20 vertically cross each other so that as each sheetlike member 50 and 52 is brought together each tab 54 will extend through the corresponding openings 56 in the other sheetlike member thereby interlocking the two members 50 and 52.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 8 it will be seen that this form of my invention is adapted for use with sheetlike members 50 and 52 whose tabs extend from the side of their resulting openings closest to the substantially straight, overlapping edge 58. In this form the channels 18 and 20 will bend or extend the tabs 54 outward until substantially perpendicular with their respective sheetlike members while in the same process applying pressure so that the sheetlike members 50 and 52 are held flush against the bottom of their respective grooves. In other words the pressure which bends the tabs 54 outward until substantially perpendicular also holds the sheetlike members 50 and 52 flush against the bottom of the grooves 14 and 16 thereby keeping each member in proper lateral alignment so that the tabs 54 will extend through the resulting openings 56 in the other sheetlike member.

Another form of my invention is shown in FIGURES 9 through 13. This embodiment of my slider 10' is adapted for use with sheetlike members 50' and 52 whose tabs 54 extend from the side of their resulting openings furthest from the substantially straight, overlapping edge 58'. In this form of my invention the grooves 14 and 16' and channels 18' and 20 perform the same function as they do in the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 8, however, the channels must force the tabs 54' outward from the opposite side as the tabs are attached to or integral with each sheetlike member from a different side of their resulting openings 56'. Due to this fact the channels 18' and 20' must narrow from the opposite side in order to force or push each tab 54' outward until substantially perpendicular with their respective sheetlike members 50' and 52'.

It will also be noted that the pressure applied to bend or extend the tabs 54 outward on this embodiment also applies pressure to push the sheetlike members 50 and 52' away from the bottoms of their respective grooves 14' and 16'. This could cause problems as the sheetlike members 50' and 52' would be forced out of lateral alignment, however, a flange 60 on each sheetlike member or the forming of an edge or rim 62 by attaching each sheetlike member to another member eliminates this problem. FIGURE 14 shows each sheetlike member as having a flange 60. FIGURE 15 shows each sheetlike member attached to another member thereby forming an edge or rim 62. With an edge 62 or flange 60 the pressure applied to bend the tabs 54' outward will push each sheetlike member flush against the retaining tracks as shown in this embodiment, thereby holding the sheetlike members 50' and 52' in proper position as they pass through my slider.

A shown in FIGURE 15 the edge or rim 62 may have a gap 64 between each sheetlike member and the respective members they are attached to thereby facilitating the lateral alignment of the two sheetlike members 50' and 52 while within my slider. The slider 10 may have a gripping edge at the top of each retaining track 30 which fits into this gap 64 thereby preventing the sheetlike members 50 and 52 from slipping out of lateral alignment. In addition it is important to note that the members attached to each sheetlike member need not be made from the same material as the sheetlike members 50 and 52.

Both embodiments of my fastener means or slider 10 may have a ridge or mound 32 as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4. The ridge or mound 32 is located on each groove 14 and 16 at the forward end of the housing 12 and is preferably tapered back into the housing, as shown in FIGURE 3. The ridge 32 bends each sheetlike member 50 and 52 such that the tabs 54 are separated from their respective members and are in proper position for action against the forward surface of each channel 18 and 20.

In addition both embodiments of my invention may have a forward blade 34 which is best seen in FIGURES 3 and 9. The forward blade 34- is also located on each groove 14 and 16 at the forward end of the housing 12 and slides between each sheetlike member 50 and 52 and their respective tabs 54 such that the tabs are in proper position for action against the forward surface of each channel 18 and 20.

The channels 18 and 20 for each embodiment of my invention may be defined more precisely and are perhaps better understood when describing the use, operation and function of my invention. Upon entering my invention the tabs 54 of each sheetlike member 50 and 52 may be raised by either or both a tapered ridge 32 or a forward blade 34, as mentioned. This is shown in FIGURES 4 and 10 and places the tabs 54 in proper position to contact a forward cam surface 36 of each channel 18 and 20. As the tabs 54 are moved into the housing 12 they are further bent or extended outward until they are substantially perpendicular with their respective sheetlike members 50 and 52. During travel along the forward cam surface 36 the extremities of the tabs 54 each cross over the vertical center line of my slider and are thus in proper position to be brought together. FIGURES 6 and 11 show the tabs 54 at about the halfway point along the forward cam surface 36.

As the tabs 54 travel further into the housing 12 they are maintained in substantially perpendicular position by a second cam surface 38. At this point in travel through my invention the two sheetlike members 50 and 52 are brought closer together by extending the two grooves 14 and 16 toward each other. As the tabs 54 travel further and are brought closer to their respective opposed openings 56 they are maintained in substantially perpendicular relationship by a third cam surface 40. FIGURES 7 and 12 show the tabs 54 in this position.

Upon further travel into the housing 12 the sheetlike members and 52 are brought closer to each other such that the tabs 54 are inserted into their respective opposed openings 56, as shown in FIGURES 8 and 13. At this point a fourth cam surface 42 maintains the tabs 54 in substantially perpendicular position until the tabs are inserted fully into the opposed openings 56. As the tabs 54 leave the slider they are returned to a lesser angle with each sheetlike member 50 and 52 by a rearward cam surface 44. The tabs 54 then emerge from the slider in an engaged relationship.

It is important to point out that by sliding my invention in the opposite or reversed direction the sheetlike members 50 and 52 are disengaged. A reverse cam surface 46 in the rearward portion 28 of the housing 12 bends the tabs until they are in a substantially perpendicular relationship with each sheetlike member 50 and 52. The remainder of the process is simply the reverse of the forward process.

It is understood that my invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms as may come within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A slider for engaging and disengaging an integral fastener having a pair of flat members each having a row of integral tabs formed therein adjacent the edge of the members to provide corresponding openings in said members, said slider comprising:

(a) a housing having a forward portion and a rearward portion,

(b) a pair of grooves passing into said housing from opposite sides,

(1) said grooves extending toward each other in the forward portion of said housing for receiving the edges of said fiat members in spaced overlapping relation,

(2) said grooves merging into one in the rear ward portion of said housing for bringing said flat members together in overlapping mating re= lation,

(c) a raised ridge formed in each of said grooves at the forward end of said housing for flexing said flat members to extend said tabs out of the plane of said flat members,

( d) a forwardly extending blade in each of said grooves in the forward portion of said housing for introduction between said fiat members and their respective tabs as the tabs are bent outwardly from the fiat members by said raised ridges,

(e) a pair of substantially rectangular channels formed in said housing, one each connecting with each of said grooves for receiving said extended tabs,

(f) a first cam surface in each of said channels in the forward portion of said housing for engaging and flexing the extended tabs into a substantially perpendicular relationship with said fiat members,

(g) additional cam surfaces in each of said channels in the rearward portion of said housing for maintaining said tabs in substantially perpendicular relationship with said flat members as said flat members are brought closer together in said housing by the merging of said grooves whereby said tabs of each of said flat members are inserted into the corresponding openings in the other of said flat members to form an interlocking fit, and

(h) a rear cam surface in each of said channels in the rearward portion of said housing for engaging and returning said tabs to a less than perpendicular angular relationship with their respective flat member as the tabs exit from the rearward portion of said housing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11023980 4/ l 955 Macy.

504,03 8 8/ 1893 Judson 2''l--205 1,943.1 l l 1/1934 Crawford 24-205 2,030,895 2/1936 Quisling 24-205.l2 X 2,072,200 3/1937 De Vore 24-205.12 X 2,665,467 1/1954 Bosomworth.

2,777,181 1/ 1957 Morner.

BERNARP A. GELAK, Primary Examiner 

